American Indian and Alaskan Native
Heritage Month
Mason celebrates American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month month
each November, with the Annual Veterans Powwow as the keynote event. Most events are sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs and Services and the American Indian/Alaskan Native Student Association. For more information, see odps.gmu.edu.
ODPS will collect gift cards from area stores of any value to present them at the Powwow to the local Native American communities. For information, contact Dr. Shaoxian Yu, syu6@gmu.edu.
Events yet to come this month:
- 7th Annual Veterans Powwow, Monday, Nov. 9,
1 - 10p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
The powwow is a central social event in pan-Indian culture, combining dance and music. Come see any part of the event and admission is FREE and open to all. A large selection of traditional art and crafts will be available for purchase. For more information, call ODPS, 703-993-2700.
Host Drum, White Oak (Northern) and Black Bear Singers (Southern). Master of Ceremonies: Lawrence Baker. Arena Director: Manuel Rodriquez. Head Dancers: Mary Phillips and Clayton Old Elk. Head Junior Dancers: Alexander Fire Walker and Laila Mahogany Amin.
- Film: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 and 9 p.m., Johnson Center Cinema, FREE.
- Provost Tea (invitation only) with Provost Peter Stearns, Monday, Nov. 16, 2 - 3 p.m. Mason Hall D-7.
- Michael Jacobs, award-winning Cherokee recording artist, Monday, Nov. 16,
6 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
Michael Jacob’s debut solo CD, Sacred Nation, received a 2003 Native American Music Award and his remarkable follow-up recording, They Come Dancing, was nominated in 2004. Jacobs has a big, raspy voice that draws comparisons to Don Henley.
- Maze of Injustice: Indigenous Women's Rights, Tuesday, Nov. 17,
7p.m., Johnson Center, Room G.
Speakers – Gabrielle Tayac, Smithsonian American Indian Museum, and Dave Nicholas, former tribal law enforcement officer.
- Identity: Student Panel Discussion, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7-8:30 p.m., SUB II VIP II.
Members of the American Indian/Alaskan Native Student Association, as well as Mason faculty and staff, will discuss the diversity found in the indigenous populations of North, Central, and South America. Special emphasis will be put on the panelists’ conception of their own identities and what it means to be indigenous in this day and age. - Trail of Tears Intertribal Dance Troupe’s Annual Toy Drive, Thursday, Nov. 19,
1 – 2:30 p.m., Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall.
This performance supports the collection of new toys for Lakota children, from birth to age 14, living on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota – one of the poorest areas in the world. Please come, enjoy the Native American dancing, and bring a toy, backpack, or school supplies. This holiday season, you can put a smile on the faces of these children who have so very little.
- American Indian/Alaskan Native Student Association meeting and potluck dinner, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 6 p.m., SUB I Rm 224.
Join the members of the Association for the last event for Native Heritage Month. We will recap on this year’s calendar of events, discuss plans for the upcoming spring semester, and share in a wonderful potluck meal. Students are encouraged to bring a traditional Native dish (frybread will be provided).
Native American Heritage Lunch, Friday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southside Join us for lunch! Several delicious traditional Native dishes will be available. Use Mason Money, Meal Plan, or cash.
